💡 Build apps with AI instantly

Good morning! Microsoft just dropped a bombshell: they’re eliminating C and C++ from their largest codebases. AI is also crushing entry-level dev jobs, and DNA storage just became real. Plus, I’ll show you how to build apps from ideas using AI.

In today’s AI newsletter:

Microsoft is hiring senior Rust engineers to help rewrite over a billion lines of legacy C/C++ code using AI-powered tooling. The goal: safer, faster, and more reliable systems at massive scale.

By combining Rust with AI-driven refactoring, Microsoft is betting it can eliminate decades of technical debt and entire classes of exploitable bugs across its core infrastructure.

Atlas Eon 100 is a new DNA-based archival service that can store 60 petabytes in just 60 cubic inches, roughly enough for 660,000 4K movies, designed for preservation, not daily access.

As data explodes and AI models grow larger, cold storage is becoming the real bottleneck. DNA storage flips the problem, trading speed for near-eternal durability and extreme density, hinting at a future where data outlives the hardware, the data centers, and even the companies that created it.

Graduates from elite universities like Stanford are finding it increasingly difficult to secure entry-level software roles, as firms cut junior positions and rely more on AI coding tools.

AI isn’t fully replacing developers, but it’s reshaping who gets hired first. The risk isn’t total automation, but a broken talent pipeline where new engineers can’t gain experience, threatening long-term innovation and skill development.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to use OpenBuilder, a free, open-source AI builder that lets you create full applications from simple text prompts, without limits, locked features, or usage caps.

Head over to theopenbuilder.com and signup. As soon as the page loads, you’ll see a large, central input field that clearly says “Describe what you would like to build.” This is the main control center of OpenBuilder.

Click inside this input box and describe your app in simple language. You don’t need technical terms or code. For example, you can write something like “A premium personal portfolio with a homepage, project write-ups, and a blog.” If you already have a rough design or reference, you can upload it using the paperclip icon to attach an image. If typing feels slow, you can even use the microphone icon to speak your idea out loud.

Once your description is ready, click the blue “→ Start” button on the right side of the input box. This single action kicks off the entire build process.

After you hit start, OpenBuilder immediately begins working behind the scenes. You’ll see it initializing the project and generating the full file structure automatically. This includes frontend components, backend logic, routing, and configuration, all without you writing a single line of code.

What makes OpenBuilder different is that it doesn’t stop at UI mockups. It handles real application logic cleanly, setting up things like data handling and backend structure as part of the initial generation. While this is happening, you can scroll down the page to the “Explore what others have launched” section. Here, you’ll find real examples such as furniture stores, content platforms, and data-driven apps. These examples help you understand what’s possible and can inspire changes to your own project.

Once the initial build is complete, OpenBuilder moves you into an IDE-style workspace. On the left side, you’ll see a live preview of your app exactly as users would experience it. On the right side, you’ll find panels showing code, logs, and a dedicated Dev Support section.

At the bottom right, there’s a chat box with an agent toggle. This is where real iteration happens. You can type instructions like “Add a blog section with markdown support” or “Fix the layout spacing on the projects page.” As you do this, OpenBuilder updates files in real time. You’ll actually see files such as app/page.tsx or app/globals.css being created or modified while the agent works.

With your app rendered in the main preview, you can fully interact with it. Click navigation links, scroll through sections, and test buttons just like a real user would. If your app includes interactive elements, such as a “Let’s talk” button or dynamic sections, you can test those directly inside the preview.

The biggest advantage here is that there are no artificial caps. You’re not blocked after a few generations, and there are no locked features forcing you to upgrade. You can keep expanding your app by asking for new sections like a contact form, detailed project write-ups, or additional pages until the project is truly complete.

China's AI regulations, which require chatbots to pass a 2,000-question ideological test, have spawned specialized agencies that help AI companies pass.

Starlink says it has reached 9M “active customers” across 155 countries, territories, and other markets, up from 8M on November 5.

Marissa Mayer's new startup Dazzle, which is building next-gen AI personal assistants, raised an $8M seed at a $35M valuation and plans to exit stealth in 2026.

Waymo, which paused its service during blackouts in San Francisco on December 20, says it is updating its fleet to improve navigation during widespread outages.

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Thanks for making it to the end! I put my heart into every email I send, I hope you are enjoying it. Let me know your thoughts so I can make the next one even better!

See you tomorrow :)

- Dr. Alvaro Cintas